4,500 jobs coming to West Michigan

CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Around 4,500 jobs are coming to West Michigan after the Michigan Economic Growth Authority approved $114 million in tax credits, making the $145 million investments possible.

• Farmers Insurance in Caledonia Township will add 1,600 jobs
• Roskam Bakery in Kentwood will add 1,500 jobs
• Energetx Composites LLC in Holland will add 1,068 jobs
• Holland Awning Company in Holland will add 270 jobs
• Johnson Technology in Muskegon will add 74 jobs

The MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $62.5 million to allow Farmers Insurance to add its new new employees in a 275,000 square-foot expansion of its Caledonia Township facilities. The expansion includes a 175,000 square-foot office building and a 100,000 square-foot printing and distribution center. Groundbreaking would happen this fall.

The new jobs will be created over the next five years, with an average weekly wage of $680.

The formal announcement came immediately following the MEGA board's vote Tuesday morning, but the news was distributed electronically Monday night by a business press release service.

"As a state we are down but we are not out. We are a fighting state and we're going to come back, so thank you all," Gov. Jennifer Granholm said at Tuesday morning's announcement at Farmers Insurance headquarters in Caledonia Township.

Roskam Baking Company will add 1,500 jobs and invest $60.5 million in capital, primarily in machinery and equipment to leverage manufacturing contracts with new and existing customers.

The MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $20.1 million over 10 years.

The new jobs will be created over the next five years, with an average weekly wage of $509.

“We appreciate the assistance of the Right Place and the MEDC in obtaining this credit to help us continue to be competitive in our industry,” stated John Lallo, vice president of Roskam Baking Company, said in a statement released to the media.

Energetx Composites plans to draw on the experience of building composite materials for the marine industry and begin making parts for a variety of industries. It will focus on "green" types of endeavors, making blades and housings for wind turbines, as well as other composites for the transportation sector.

The MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $27.3 million to add the jobs over the next five years. The new jobs will range from office and design to engineering and manufacturing, paying an average weekly wage of $585.

Energetx will invest approximately $37 million in new building construction and machinery and equipment as a result of this project. It will share manufacturing space in the Tiara Yacht building in Holland and then expand as needed.

"Energetx Composites is uniquely positioned to provide precision engineering and world class manufacturing capacity in an optimal geographic location to effectively supply advanced composites for the growing wind energy industry in Michigan, the Great Lakes and internationally," Energetx Composites Principal David Slikkers said in a statement to the media. "We remain very impressed with the state of Michigan's commitment to wind energy manufacturing for the state. The fine professionals at MEDC, DELEG and the governor's office are providing outstanding support during a remarkable time in our state."

Holland Awning Company makes returnable fabric packaging for the automotive industry. In an effort to diversify, it has moved into serving other industries, including appliances and airlines. It is working with Environmental Packaging Technologies of Houston, Texas.

The MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $2.1 million over seven years.

Holland Awning Company is looking for ways to move food, grains liquids etc. that can be sent overseas on container ships. This has done well for them as it has leveraged their experience in the automotive field to make a product that has not been made in the U.S. before. The company has engineered this product from the bottom up. Company officials say it fits their core values, and the volume potential outdoes what is possible in the automotive industry.

The company now employs 80 to 120 workers. It plans on getting back 20 or so who are currently on layoff. It is hiring for a second shift and expanding to a third shift.

Officials are looking for people with production assembly experience who are able to lift heavy loads. The jobs pay between $10 and $12 an hour.

Johnson Technology is bringing jobs from five states to Muskegon and investing $15 million to make high-tech coatings for jet engines. The MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $2 million over 12 years. The average weekly wage for the newly created jobs will be $705.